Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Prism Theatre Company’s Informative, Atmospheric “Wrens” Introduces Memorable Characters, Strong Performances

Posted in St Louis Theatre, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on September 22, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Wrens
by Anne V. McGravie
Directed by Trish Brown
PRISM Theatre Company
September 15, 2023

Avery Lux, Ashley Bauman, Sarah Naumann, Sadie Harvey, Jade Cash
Photo by Julie Merkle
PRISM Theatre Company

Probably the strongest aspect of PRISM Theatre Company’s new production of Wrens is how deliberately and authentically it sets its scene, time, place, and era. Inspired by the playwrights experiences during World War II, the play features well-defined characters, and a strong sense of setting. It also features some memorable performances by a cast of local performers. 

Playwright Anne V. McGravie’s story is based on her first-hand experiences as a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, or “Wrens”. This particular story focuses on a group of Wrens at a base in Scotland at the very end of the war. The seven characters represent various regions of the United Kingdom, including the Welsh, Scottish, and English women of different ages and stages of life. Some, like Jenny (Avery Lux) and Gwyneth (Ashley Bauman), are married to men who are serving in the war, and others are single. There’s also a variety of attitudes toward work, life, and the war–the  orderly Cynthia (Sadie Harvey) objects to the others’ flouting of rules; the aloof Chelsea (Camryn Ruhl) is looked at as a snooty outsider by the rest in the barracks, and young Dawn (Sam Hayes) is dealing with a personal issue that she’s reluctant to share with her colleagues. As the end of the war in Europe is rumored to happen any day, the Wrens also reflect on how the war and their service have changed their lives, and the attitudes towards women in the workforce and in general. There are moments of humor as well as intense drama, as the end of their service looms and various revelations come to light.

The story itself is intriguing and informative, and the characters are well-defined, if sometimes not quite as fleshed-out as they could be. The dialogue is also odd in places, with some of the speech patterns seeming somewhat awkward. Still, it’s a fascinating show, for the most part, and the cast is strong across the board, led by Lux as the protective Jenny, Hayes as the evasive Dawn, and Bauman as the strong-willed Gwyneth, along with Sarah Naumann as the Wrens’ resident writer, Doris. Jade Cash is also memorable as the fun-loving youngest Wren, Meg. Harvey as the stickler Cynthia, and Ruhl as the detached Chelsea also make a strong impression, even if their roles aren’t as prominent. The ensemble chemistry is what especially makes this show work, as it lends much credibility to this story. These characters and their interactions are relatable and highly convincing as a group who has lived and worked together for a while. The various UK accents represented are also impressively done, for the most part.

The technical presentation also makes a memorable impression. The set by Caleb D. Long is meticulously detailed, and the costumes by Sam Hayes are well-suited to the characters and the era. There’s also excellent use of period music, and strong sound design by Jacob Baxley, as well as superb lighting by Catherine Adams.

Wrens does feature some difficult subject matter, as mentioned in the program, and its best recommended for older teen to adult audiences. World War II has been a frequent subject for dramatization, and Wrens offers its own look at an aspect of life during the war that might not be as well-known, especially for American audiences. It’s a compelling drama, taking the audience to a specific time and place with energy and impressive authenticity.

Cast of Wrens
Photo by Julie Merkle
PRISM Theatre Company

PRISM Theatre Company is presenting Wrens at the Kranzberg Arts Center until September 24, 2023

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SDT Entertains with Campy, Energetic “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on June 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Vampire Lesbians of Sodom
by Charles Busch
Directed by Gary F. Bell
Stray Dog Theatre
June 10, 2023

Sarajane Clark, Greta Johnson, Victor Mendez, Zander Huber
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

The latest production from Stray Dog Theatre is from celebrated playwright and drag artist Charles Busch, who seems to be a favorite of this theatre company, since they’ve performed several of his works in the past. Vampire Lesbians of Sodom is a fairly short play, but it packs a lot of laughs into its roughly 70 minute running time, featuring Busch’s campy style and an energetic cast who all seem to be having a great time on stage.

The story is told in three scenes, starting in the infamous biblical city of Sodom, then moving into glamorous 1920’s Hollywood, and finally arriving in glitzy 1985 Las Vegas. Most of the actors play a variety of roles, with notable exceptions being the two main characters, La Condesa Scrofula de Hoya (Sarajane Clark) and Madelaine Astarté (Xander Huber), whose rivalry lasts for many centuries. I won’t give too much away, because that might spoil the fun, but basically, it includes quests for amorous conquests, the blood of virgins, ambitious movie stars, and lots of stylized melodrama. It’s actually a fairly thin plot, but the point isn’t the plot, really. 

The point here appears to be letting the actors ham it up as much as possible, and they do that with impressive enthusiasm, led by the gloriously theatrical Clark and Huber, who make the most of their roles as glamorous, seemingly ageless rivals. The rest of the cast includes Rachel Bailey, Greta Johnson, Victor Mendez, Nara, and Sean Seifert, most of whom play a variety of roles, with Seifert a standout in a hilariously physical performance as Las Condesa’s sycophantic butler in the Hollywood sequence. Johnson also makes a humorous impression as two different young, seemingly clueless aspiring starlets, and Mendez gleefully overacts his role as a movie star and jealous boyfriend. The staging is fast-paced and energetic, with moments of physical comedy, witty banter, and all that hilariously overdone emoting.

The set, by Rob Lippert, is appropriately versatile, featuring a mountainous backdrop that is modified with signage in the Hollywood and Vegas scenes. There are also gleefully whimsical costumes by Colleen Michelson and wigs by Sarah Gene Dowling. Tyler Duenow’s lighting and Justin Been’s sound also contribute to the humorous tone of the production.

Overall, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom is a broadly comic show that revels in its own silliness. With its use of language and innuendo, it’s not for everyone, but it’s a fun showcase for its enthusiastic cast. Fans of bawdy, campy comedy, and particularly those who appreciate the works of Charles Busch, should especially enjoy this show. 

Xander Huber, Sarajane Clark
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Vampire Lesbians of Sodom at the Tower Grove Abbey until June 24, 2023

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Midnight Company’s “Leonard Pelkey” is a Compelling, Emotionally Resonant Production

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on May 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
by Celeste Lecesne
Directed by Alicen Moser
The Midnight Company
May 6, 2023

Joe Hanrahan
Photo by Joey Rumpell
The Midnight Company

The Midnight Company is currently back onstage with a poignant, emotional production that features Joe Hanrahan doing what he’s perhaps best known for–a one-man show. The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey isn’t a one character show, however. Hanrahan gets to show his versatility here, telling a short but powerful story and playing a variety of roles, creating a memorable, remarkably affecting portrait of a small town in turmoil, and one character we never actually “meet” who makes the most profound impact of all. 

Hanrahan narrates the story as Chuck DeSoto, a police detective in a small New Jersey town who is remembering the case that has affected him the most. The flashback format has DeSoto offering commentary on the proceedings as the story unfolds, and Hanrahan deftly morphs into the various players, starting when hair salon owner Ellen Hertle and her teenage daughter Phoebe walk into the police station to report a missing person. Leonard Pelkey is a 14-year-old boy who Ellen has been raising after his mothers’ death. Leonard has only been in town for about two years, but he’s already made an impression, with his “weird” theatrical personality and offbeat sense of personal style. It’s made fairly clear that Leonard is gay, as well, and he’s experienced a great deal of bullying at school. As the story unfolds, the efforts to find what’s happened to Leonard unfold like a mystery story, and although there are sad and even tragic elements, there are also moments of hope, as we meet a series of characters who have been affected by Leonard in various ways, including the concerned Ellen; conflicted Phoebe; Buddy Howard, Leonard’s British-born drama instructor; clock repairman Otto Beckerman; and others. As the truth is discovered, we get to learn more about the various characters and their motivations–especially Phoebe, who is perhaps the most well-drawn character here besides Chuck. Also, even though Leonard never actually “appears” onstage, his character seems just as real as the others, and his influence pervades every moment. 

It’s a short play, but especially well-constructed, and Hanrahan does an excellent job playing the various distinctive characters, especially Chuck, Phoebe, Ellen, and Otto. Hanrahan’s handles the humor and the drama well, and the pacing is excellent. Tony Anselmo’s lighting also adds much to the overall mood of the show.

The playwright, Celeste Lecesne, is also a co-founder of The Trevor Project, which provides a crisis hotline and other resources for LGBTQ+ youth. The theme of  this show highlights the difficulties that young gay teens can endure, as well as the positive impact that one boy’s life can make on those around him, even in such a short time.  The play also  features an over-arching theme of individual expression and the importance of community support and respect. It’s a memorable effort from Joe Hanrahan and The Midnight Company.

Joe Hanrahan
Photo by Joey Rumpell
The Midnight Company

The Midnight Company is presenting The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey at the Kranzberg Arts Center until May 20, 2023

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Tesseract Theatre Company stages a Vibrant, Somewhat Mixed-Up “Welcome”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on May 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Welcome to Arroyo’s
by Kristoffer Diaz
Directed by Brittanie Gunn
Tesseract Theatre Company
April 29, 2023

Victor Mendez
Photo: Tesseract Theatre Company

Welcome to Arroyo’s! That’s the name of Tesseract Theatre Company’s latest show, currently being staged at the .ZACK Theatre. Production-wise, it’s vibrant and fun, with an energetic cast. The play itself can be frustrating in its structure at times, but for the most part it’s an intriguing journey into the world of a small New York City bar, its staff and would-be regulars, with a lively, mostly hip-hop soundtrack.

The story, narrated alternatingly by aspiring rap duo Nelson (Kevin Corpuz) and Trip (Jacob Schmidt), and by earnest grad student Lelly (Hannah de Oliveira), follows three main threads, as Alejandro (Victor Mendez) strives to turn his mother’s former bodega into a thriving bar; Alejandro’s younger sister Molly (Remi Mark), a graffiti artist, looks to establish a name for herself despite run-ins with the police, including Officer Derek (Marshall Jennings), with whom she develops a reluctant attraction; and Lelly’s quest to discover the identity of an influential figure in the early hip-hop scene, about whom she’s writing a thesis. These stories all intersect at various points, with the bar as the central locale, but really, it’s a story about hopes, dreams, personal history, family connections, and the role of a community in the lives of its residents, and vice versa.

It’s a compelling story, for the most part, with memorable characters, a good dose of humor, and excellent use of music. Still, the structure can be a little difficult to follow at times, as each plot keeps putting off key revelations in ways that seem more designed to frustrate the audience than to really drive the story. At Tesseract, the story is well-played, though, with the characters and memorable performances bringing energy to the overall presentation, along with vibrant production values.

The production manager is Sarah Baucom, but there’s no credit given to the set designer or projection designer, although the simple but effective set and memorable projections provide much of the overall atmosphere. Also contributing to the mood are Tony Anselmo’s eye-catching lighting and Jaz Tucker’s excellent sound design. The hip-hop soundtrack and use of other music adds much to the overall energy of the show.

As for the cast, the standouts here are Corpuz and Schmidt, who are both hilarious and personable as the aspiring hip-hop artists who work at the bar. Much of the play’s energy and humor comes from these two, and they energize all the scenes they are in. Mark and Jennings are also strong as the rebellious Molly and somewhat weary but well-meaning cop Derek, who has his own identity issues to deal with concerning sharing his name with a celebrity. Mendez also puts in a solid performance as Alejandro, making the most of a part that isn’t given much to do beyond being alternately sad and determined; and de Oliveira is fine as Lelly, although she could use more energy in some moments. Overall, it’s a cohesive cast that makes the most of this show’s oddly organized script.

While the script is not without its flaws, Welcome to Arroyo’s is a compelling story with good characters and lots of humor and heart. It’s a show about relationships between people, as well as between artists and their art, and individuals and the communities in which they live.  At Tesseract, it’s an entertaining and thoughtful production.

Remi Mark, Marshall Jennings
Photo: Tesseract Theatre Company

The Tesseract Theatre Company is presenting Welcome to Arroyo’s at the .ZACK Theatre until May 7, 2023

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New Jewish Theatre’s Poignant, Hopeful “Brilliant Thing” Features Strong Central Performance

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Every Brilliant Thing
by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Ellie Schwetye
New Jewish Theatre
March 16, 2023

Will Bonfiglio
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
New Jewish Theatre

Every Brilliant Thing is a popular show. The latest staging, from the New Jewish Theatre, is the third production of this show I’ve seen in St. Louis since it debuted here with another theatre company in 2018. I think it’s popularity stems from a few factors–its simple production values which don’t require a large budget, its relatable subject matter, and its ability to showcase a strong, personable central performer. While this current production, directed by Ellie Schwetye and starring the always excellent Will Bonfiglio, is certainly the most polished production I’ve seen from a technical standpoint, it still maintains that inherent simplicity, audience interaction, and focus on its lead character that makes it such a memorable–and, considering its sometimes heavy subject matter–an ultimately hopeful show. 

The setup here in NJT’s versatile space at the J’s Wool Studio Theatre is simply but elegantly appointed, designed by Bess Moynihan with a flair for setting an approachable, warm and inviting initial mood–and this atmosphere helps to provide balance in the show’s darker moments. Moynihan’s lighting is also especially effective, as Bonfiglio, suitably outfitted by costume designer Michele Friedman Siler in jeans, a casual button-down shirt and comfy sneakers, tells the story as a version of himself, as is the norm for this play. There’s a soft rug and a raised platform on one end of the stage where there’s a chair, and old-fashioned record player, and a box of records, which play into the story that is well-punctuated by various songs in the moments that call for them. Also, dangling from the ceiling is a collection of notecards suspended by wires, featuring various “brilliant” things about life, whether they be objects, people, experiences, etc. The audience members are given notecards, as well, and called upon to read items from Bonfiglio’s list as he calls their numbers.

The story, told as if it happened to Bonfiglio himself, recounts his childhood growing up with a chronically depressed mother, and the list of brilliant things starts out as his way to try to cheer her up. Over the years, as he grows up, the list gets longer and takes on new meanings, as Bonfiglio tells of his relationship with both of his parents, as well as meeting a romantic partner in college, and his on-and-off writing of the list as he struggles to deal with his own emotions and reactions to his mother’s condition as well as relating to the world around him. Bonfiglio gently calls on various audience members to participate in his story, playing a school teacher/counselor, his dad, a college professor, and his love interest, among others. Bonfiglio handles this aspect of the role especially well, and at least two of the “guest performers” I saw were notable local actors, which suggests that at least in some cases, Bonfiglio was choosing people he already knew to some degree, although I don’t think this was the case with everyone he chose. 

One of the most appealing aspects of this show is that it’s so easily tailored to the particular performer who stars, and with Bonfiglio, it works especially well. Director Schwetye, who has worked with Bonfiglio before with great success at NJT with Fully Committed in 2019, has paced this show ideally, allowing Bonfiglio’s warm, engaging and occasionally unpredictable personality to shine forth in moments of humor, sadness, reflection, and ultimately hope. Bonfiglio is especially adept as holding the audience’s attention, and encouraging participation while not seeming too pressuring. The arc of the story, while familiar to anyone who has seen other versions of this show, gains a degree of immediacy with Bonfiglio in the lead.

I have seen this show three times now, and each time I’ve seen something new and challenging, but the emphasis has always been on hope. At NJT, Bonfiglio, Schwetye, and the creative team have constructed an elegantly staged, dare I say brilliant production. It does contain difficult subject matter, including depression and suicide, but it is handled with great sensitivity and poignancy. It’s a superb showcase for an excellent and beloved local performer. It’s a brilliant thing, indeed. 

Will Bonfiglio
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
New Jewish Theatre

The New Jewish Theatre is presenting Every Brilliant Thing at the J’s Wool Studio Theatre until April 2, 2023

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The Muny Dazzles with “Chicago”… Again!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on June 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Chicago
Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed and Choreographed by Denis Jones
The Muny
June 14, 2022

Cast of Chicago
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

The Muny is back, with a familiar show, a familiar cast, and a familiar “Razzle Dazzle”, as Chicago takes the stage for an encore run after having been cut short last year due to a COVID-19 outbreak. This year, it’s the same amazing show that took the Muny stage by storm last season, and won Outstanding Production of a Musical and six other awards from my colleagues and myself in the St. Louis Theater Circle. All the principal performers are back, along with the same production design and dazzling staging. 

Sarah Bowden, James T. Lane (center) and Cast of Chicago
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

I raved about the show last season–and you can read that review here. I will add that it’s just as energetic, jazzy, and exciting as it was last season, led by truly dynamic performances from Sarah Bowden as Roxie Hart and J. Harrison Ghee as Velma Kelly. All the other leads are excellent, as well, including James T. Lane as Billy Flynn, Emily Skinner as Matron “Mama” Morton, Adam Heller as Amos Hart, and Ali Ewoldt as Mary Sunshine. It’s a truly stunning show, from production values to casting, including the brilliant ensemble supporting the first-rate leads. Everything I wrote last year is still true, and if you weren’t able to see the show last year, now is your chance. Go see it while you can. It’s a thoroughly entertaining,, jazzy, satirical, funny, musical treat!

Sarah Bowden, J. Harrison Ghee
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

The Muny is presenting Chicago in Forest Park until June 19th, 2022

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Stray Dog Theatre Explores Power Struggles, Subjectivity in Impeccably Cast “Art”

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on August 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Art
by Yasmina Reza
With Adaptation by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Gary F. Bell
Stray Dog Theatre
August 6, 2021

Ben Ritchie, Stephen Peirick, Jeremy Goldmeier
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

In a time of increasing uncertainty and efforts to return to live theatre (both outside and inside), Stray Dog Theatre has adapted its usual performance setting in presenting a play that explores not only the subjective nature of art, but also the need for, and definitions of, friendship and personal relationships. Yesmina Reza’s Art (adapted by Christopher Hampton) is an incisive, occasionally witty, occasionally caustic character study of a comedy, looking not only at these issues but also exploring the influence of outside relationships on an individual’s personality view of oneself. At SDT, this somewhat talky play is given a great deal of energy by its excellent cast of three.

The story here is presented in an intriguing format, as the events play out in a  mostly linear fashion, while the three characters take turns narrating and sharing their personal thoughts with the audience. It begins as Marc (Stephen Peirick) recounts a visit to his friend Serge (Ben Ritchie), as Serge eagerly shows off his new “find” for his modern art collection–a painting by a celebrated artist. Marc’s reaction is not exactly pleasant, as he takes offense at his friend’s purchase of a basically white painting. Serge doesn’t take Marc’s reaction well, and Marc takes his case to their mutual friend Yvan (Jeremy Goldmeier), who is dealing with his own personal issues and just wants everyone to be happy. Yvan later visits with Serge and hears his side of the story. That’s just the beginning, as the initial conflict brings out–and reveals–more conflicts, between the three friends as well as with their romantic partners, family members, and more. 

This play is a lot more character-focused than plot-focused, giving the cast members excellent situations for expression, both dramatically and in a comedic sense. The comedy is somewhat caustic and biting, as well as ironic at times, and the characters can be hard to like at times (especially the domineering Marc). As such a character-centric work, it’s an ideal showcase for the actors, and all three performers shine here. Ritchie’s pretentious, particular Serge; Peirick’s selfish, control-focused Marc; and Goldmeier’s overwhelmed, would-be mediator Yvan are all strong characterizations, with Goldmeier standing out especially in a well-realized, at once humorous and sympathetic portrayal. The interplay between all three actors is a particular highlight, as well, with each gaining energy from the others and feeding the increasingly frantic progression of the proceedings.

Technically, the show does well in its new outdoor space, on the lawn next to SDT’s usual venue, the Tower Grove Abbey. A stage has been set up with folding chairs for the audience, with a good view of the minimal but effective set by Josh Smith, which is put to excellent use by director Gary F. Bell and the cast. There’s also impressive lighting by Tyler Duenow, as well as character-appropriate costumes by Bell. It all works well in an outdoor setting, in terms of being able to see and hear everything.

Art is a show with a whole lot of talking and not a lot of plot, but with fully-realized characters who provide all the focus for the comedy and the drama. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of relationships, thoughts and feelings, along with an exploration of the subjective nature of art. At Stray Dog Theatre, it sets the stage for some especially strong performances, and serves as a welcome return for this theatre company.

Stephen Peirick, Ben Ritchie
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Art outside at the Tower Grove Abbey until August 21, 2021

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Crowd-Pleasing “Sound of Music” Makes the Most of Its Setting at the Muny

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on August 4, 2021| Leave a Comment »

The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Directed by Matt Kunkel
Choreographed by Beth Crandall
The Muny
August 3, 2021

Kate Rockwell, Michael Hayden, Jenny Powers, and the Von Trapp Children
Photo: The Muny

The hills are alive, and so are the trees, the stage, the scenery, the lights, and the video in the Muny’s latest production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. Although there is a strong cast here, for the most part, and the audience loved every minute, what shines here especially is the technical artistry, as well as the integration of the setting with the Muny’s natural environment in Forest Park, with the return of the live trees on stage. The classic songs and characters are here, as well, but what’s especially stunning is the sheer spectacle.

This is a show that the Muny has produced many times, although it’s only the second time I’ve seen it here, even though I’ve seen several other productions in various other venues. Here, it’s the familiar show with all the iconic characters and 1930’s Austrian setting, although a few little tweaks have been made. First, when aspiring nun Maria (Kate Rockwell) is first seen, she’s given a bit of a “Julie Andrews moment” in a nod to the famous film by way of this production’s eliminating the usual nuns’ prelude and Maria’s introduction to the title song. The first words we hear are “the hills are alive”, just like the film. Maria also gets a striking entrance standing on a stump that rises out of the stage, as Rockwell is flanked by those lovely trees as well as some stunning projections by video designer Caite Hevner, whose work is one of the true highlights of this production.  We then follow Maria, who is having trouble fitting into convent life, as the wise Mother Abbess (Bryonha Maria Parham) sends her to test her calling by serving as a governess to the widowed Captain George von Trapp (Michael Hayden) and his seven neglected children, (Elizabeth Teeter, Victor De Paula Rocha, Amelie Lock, Parker Dzuba, Jillian Depke, Abby Hogan, and Kate Scarlett Kappel). Maria’s initial idea is to help the children prepare for a new stepmother, as the Captain has been courting wealthy widow Elsa Schraeder (Jenny Powers), but as most of us know, things don’t quite turn out to plan, for Maria, for the Captain and the children, or for Austria itself, as the brutal, menacing Nazi regime is poised to take over the country.

The cast here is good, with some particular standouts, like Teeter in an especially thoughtful turn as eldest Von Trapp daughter Liesl, John Scherer as the enterprising concert promoter Max Detweiler, and, especially, Parham as the Mother Abbess, who not only displays a strong sense of wisdom and compassionate authority, but also a fantastic voice on songs like “My Favorite Things” and the iconic “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”. Rockwell is a spunky Maria, and Hayden takes a while to find his energy, but eventually gives a thoughtful, memorable performance as the Captain, especially shining in his moments with Rockwell and the children. Other standouts include Depke as the observant young Brigitta, and Kappel in a spirited performance as youngest daughter Gretel. The children as a group show a strong sense of family connection. Powers also gives a strong, if somewhat subdued, performance as Maria’s romantic rival Elsa. 

The staging is clever, with a colorful set by Paige Hathaway and excellent use of the Muny’s turntable in conjunction with the scenic and video design. There’s a particularly stunning moment in Act 2 during the wedding in which set, video projections, staging, and Shelby Loera’s superb lighting design come together to awe-inspiring, almost cinematic effect. There are also excellent period-specific costumes by Tristan Raines. In fact, the production is nearly flawless from a technical standpoint, aside from a few obvious and distracting wigs. Also worth noting is the melodious Muny Orchestra led by music director Ben Whitely.

Overall, The Sound of Music at the Muny is an entertaining, fully realized experience that makes the most of its venue. If you love this show, I imagine you’ll enjoy this production. It’s a well-staged production that truly makes its location one of the stars of the show.

Kate Rockwell, Bryonha Marie Parham
Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting The Sound of Music in Forest Park until August 9, 2021

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St. Louis Shakespeare Festival Takes a Whimsical “Stroll” in Forest Park

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on August 21, 2020| Leave a Comment »

A Late Summer Night’s Stroll
Conceived and Curated by The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Tom Ridgely, Producing Artistic Director
In Partnership with PaintedBlack STL
Javyn Solomon, Co-Founder, Charlie Tatum, Coordinator

August 14, 2020

Logo: St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival is making me especially happy at the moment, since they are helping to usher in the return of something I’ve missed terribly the past few months–live theatre! That’s live theatre in a somewhat limited way, with some serious restrictions due to COVID-19, but it’s still theatre, and it’s still live and in person.  In lieu of the usual mainstage production in Forest Park, the newly renamed festival, led by Artistic Director Tom Ridgely, has partnered with PaintedBlack STL to present a production that utilizes one of St. Louis’s most prominent assets, Forest Park, to showcase the arts–visual and performing–in a fun, whimsical way that also serves as a showcase for several other local theatre companies and arts organizations, like SATE Ensemble Theatre, The Black Rep, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Jazz St. Louis, and more.

Based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the roughly mile-long, 60-90 minute “stroll” is a (mostly) self-guided walk that starts in the Festival’s “Shakespeare Glen” and follows a meandering path through the park, ending at the foot of Art Hill in front of the park’s picturesque Grand Basin. The path is marked by a series of beautifully painted arches, painted by Jessie Donovan, Eugenia Alexander, Nicholas Lawery, Tiélere Cheatem, Kyla Hawkins, Sherelle Speed, Brilynn Asia, Tyler Harris, Ryean Clark, N’Dea ‘Ori Tala’ Collins-Whitfield, Taylor Deed, Lashawnda Smith, Brock Seals and Dee Drenning. Each arch is unique and marks the performance space for the various presentations from the different theatre, music, and dance companies. These performances range from the more straightforward, such as Shakespeare Squadron’s introductory scene, to the more abstract, such as dances from The Big Muddy Dance Company and (traveling from one arch to another) Consuming Kinetics Dance Company. Most of the theatrical offerings are broadly comic, with memorable interpretations from Circus Flora/Ten Directions (featuring Lynn Berg and Audrey Crabtree), the Black Rep (featuring Brian McKinley and Christina Yancy), SATE (featuring Rachel Tibbetts, Ellie Schwetye, and a stuffed Ninja Turtle), and STLSF’s finale featuring Brittney Henry, Mary Heyl, Carl Overly Jr., and Michael Tran. Especially notable are performer Laura Coppinger and a special guest (you’ll have to see for yourself) performing as Titania serenading Bottom, who has been transformed into a donkey. The walk also features a fun presentation by Improv Shop (featuring Mo Burns), and memorable musical performances by Jazz St. Louis (featuring Benjamin Paille, Kendrick Smith, Bernard Taylor, and Micah Walker) and the Preparatory Program of the Community Music School of Webster University (featuring Ruth Christopher). It’s somewhat helpful if you are familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but the energy and enthusiasm of the performers, as well as the unique format of the walk, make for an entertaining evening regardless.

While I’ve enjoyed several of the free online offerings by the Muny, Stray Dog Theatre, and other local companies, and I encourage theatre fans to support artists in this difficult time, there’s nothing like the experience of live theatre. It’s a unique art form, and I’ve missed it. While I’m expecting that a more widespread return of live productions will still be a few months away (at the soonest), I appreciate opportunities like this one from the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival to see, hear, interact, and experience the performing arts in person. A Late Summer Night’s Stroll is a clever, inventive, and thoroughly enjoyable endeavor makes the most of its setting and a host of talent and ingenuity. So, wear your sunscreen, bring your bug spray, put on your walking shoes, and give this “stroll” a try. It’s a lot of fun, and an excellent celebration of the arts in St. Louis.

Photo by Phillip Hamer
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival is presenting A Late Summer Evening’s Stroll in Forest Park until September 6, 2020

 

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Max & Louie’s “Love Linda” Showcases Classic Songs, Great Voice, Stunning Production Values

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 26, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Love, Linda
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Stevie Holland, with Gary William Friedman
Arrangements and Additional Music by Gary William Friedman
Directed by Ken Page
Max & Louie Productions
January 19. 2019

Debby Lennon
Photo by John Lamb
Max & Louie Productions

The latest show from Max & Louie Productions is essentially a showcase for its leading performer. Debby Lennon, who has memorably appeared in previous shows from the company, is cast as the wife of legendary songwriter Cole Porter in a slight but entertaining production that especially highlights Lennon’s always impressive vocal talents and stage presence.

This is really more of a narrated concert than a play, co-written by a jazz singer and the show’s original performer. This is a show that, basically, gives a talented singer a chance to shine, showcasing the classic hits of one of Broadway’s most legendary songwriters. Lennon portrays Linda Lee Thomas, who was married to Porter for 34 years. She tells the story of her life before she met Porter, including her marriage to her abusive first husband, but the bulk of the production focuses on her complicated relationship with her second husband, Porter. Their love and mutual dependence on one another–in different ways–is made clear, as is the truth that Linda married him in full knowledge that he was gay. In between songs, Lennon tells vivid stories of her life with Porter in Paris in the 1920s, and then in New York, and eventually, Hollywood, as she outlines Porter’s rise to fame, their celebrity connections, and Porter’s many relationships with men and her struggles with jealousy. It’s an interesting story, compellingly portrayed by Lennon, but it’s all essentially a framework for the songs, which are the show’s–and Lennon’s–strength. Many well-known and lesser-known Porter songs are featured, allowing Lennon to show off a different style of vocals than usual. Her past efforts for Max & Louie have tended to more operatic sounds, but here Lennon is able to display an impressive aptitude for old-school jazz and pop standards. She especially excels in the more upbeat songs, like “Miss Otis Regrets” and “I Love Paris”, as well as displaying an impressive range on numbers like “Wunderbar” and “So In Love”. It’s an impressive vocal performance, and acting-wise, Lennon does about as much with the material as I could imagine anyone could. She’s a strong presence on the stage.

Aside from Lennon, the other real “stars” of this show are the technical designers. This is a great looking show, from Dansi Dai’s simple but lavish set that stages the performance on a giant, well-appointed piano. The storytelling is also augmented greatly through the use of Michael Perkins’s excellent projections, that illustrate Linda’s story from the beginning–with photos of the real Linda–to the end. Costume designer Teresa Doggett has outfitted Lennon in some elegant, well-suited ensembles as well. There’s also excellent atmospheric lighting by Patrick Huber and sound by Phillip Evans. Lennon is also backed by an excellent band led by music director Greg Schweitzer.

The story that Lennon, as Linda, tells here is a potentially fascinating one, and there could be a more thorough treatment than this one. Still, as it is, Love, Linda is an entertaining show, especially when it comes to the production values and, especially, the music. It gives its talented star an excellent outlet for displaying her impressive vocal skills, highlights the repertoire of a Broadway legend, and provides a look at the complex, sometimes difficult, sometimes poignant life of the woman who married that legend. It’s great music well-sung, and with style.

 

Debby Lennon
Photo by Dunsi Dai
Max & Louie Productions

 

Max & Louie Productions is presenting Love, Linda at the Marcelle Theatre until January 27, 2019

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